Universal joint.



No. 895,149. PATENTBD AUG. 4, 190s.

UNIVERSAL JOINT.

' APPLIG'ATION FILED MAY 17, 1905.

Witgczsses:

5 MAURICE E. BLOOD, OF rcuhusmzoo, MICHIGAN;

/ UNIVERSAL JOINT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented ling. 4, .1908.

r 7 Application filed Hay 17, 1905. Serial No. 260,836.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAunrcE E. BLOOD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Universal Joints,

of which the following is a specification.

My invent-ion has for its object a universal joint simple in construction, easily taken apart or put together, and one with large bearing surfaces that will retain the lubricant in the best manner and prevent the dust and dirt from getting in the bearings; I attain these objects by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-.-

Figure 1, is a longitudinal sectional view on line 1-1 o Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 2- 2 of Fi l, and Fig.

an end or top view of one of the greasecups Both Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show the ends of two shafts that the joint couples together (0 enable one to rotate the other at varying angles to each other.

Similar lettcrsrefer to similar parts through out the several views.

A A designate the ends of two shafts which are connected together by the universal joint.

B B'are ll-shaped forks having shanks suitable for receiving the shafts. The arms of each fork are provided with holes or perforations at right angles to the shaft to receive the bushings G which are forced into them.

is the center-block which is preferably made a cube, although it can be formed in any other suitable shape to have four of its surfaces at right angles to each other oppos ing the four inner surfaces of the fork arms. This center-block is provided with two holes that intersect eachv other at right angles and come in the proper position to register with the holes in the four bushings G. One of these holes is substantially the same size as the holes in the bushings, and is made to receive the straight pin E which pas es freely through two opposed bushings, the centerhlock and a crosswise hole in the enlar ed ortion of the shouldered pin D, The 0t 18! hole is made enough larger than this to re ceive the enlarged portion of the pin D which enlarged nortion must be large enough to have a hol ceive the pin E but not so large but what it will pass t irough the holes in the ends of the forks before the bushings are put in. The shouldered pin D is also provided with a e crosswise throu h it that \Vlll re-' small longitudinal hole to receive the locking F, and this pin F also passes through a 1 do made crosswise through the center of the straight pin E. The pins E and D also have holes countersunk or bored for a short distance in each end to receive the lubricatin oil or grease which passes through the small CIOSSWISO holes e to the hearings in the bushings.

The bushings G are not forced quite through the holes in the fork ends but enough room is left within this hole to receive the felt washers I. The portions of the bushings that project outside the forks are threaded to receive the grease-cu s H. lVasherst I, which can be made of 'elt or other suitable material, are to prevent the lubricant from coming out or the dust from getting in the bearings. Each keeper-sprin a has one end secured to the arm of the for by means of .the screw 6 while the other end bears against the grease-cup H to prevent it from unscrewing but it does not prevent turning the greasecup by hand. The grooves h on the side of the grease-cups are for the keeper-springs to dro into to further increase the elliciencyof the eeper-springs to prevent the grease-cups from workin off.

In assembling the parts the center-block C is placed between the arms of one of the forks. withthe large hole 0 )posing the holes in the arms. The felt washers I are then put on both ends of the shouldered pin D against the shoulder and this pin then pushed throu h the holes in the arms and the center-bloc The bushings G are then forced in the holes in the arms of this fork until they come in contact with the felt washers. that one of these bushings might have been put in before the pin D is put in. The other two bushings and felt washers should then be put in the holes in the arms of the other fork and this fork placed in position on the centerblock. There will then be a straight hole through the bushings in the arms of this last fork, the felt washers, the center-block and It will be seen crosswise through the shouldered pin D to sure strength and durability.

from coming out by means of the ease-cups which are afterwards put on the ushings.

In order to take the joint apart all that is necessary to do is to take off the grease-cups ush out the locking pin F and then the pm -When using grease the grease-cups may be screwed on far enough to insure them from coming off and at intervals during use turned up a little at a time in thecommon way of using grease-cups. The bushings G G G G which form the working bearings for the pins D and E are of ample size to in- They are interchangeable and may be of hardened steel which is less liable to wear. The portions projecting beyond the faces of the fork arm provide for longer bearings and also parts to e threaded to receive the grease-cups. It will be evident that the bushings might be made integral projecting parts of the forks, and the pin D made, its full length, the size of its larger part, but I prefer the construction shown, as in that manner the bushings and forks can be made the same size and interchangeable, and the bushings replaced if worn. It will also be seen that the bearings of the pins D and E could be well lubricated without any holes in their ends as the greasecups would hold the oil or grease which would work around the ends of the pins into the bearings.

I am aware that universal joints have been made where the cross was formed by one pin passing through a hole crosswise in the other and also having a center-block, and I do not claim these features broadly. I also wish to have it understood that my invention could be modified to use a cross where one of the pins passed at the side of the other instead of in a hole through the other.

The block C can be omitted, but of course is of advantage in strengthening and centering the parts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a universal joint, the two forks adapted to be secured to the ends of two shafts, the arms of said forks being perforated at right angles to the shafts; bushings for said arms; a cross formed by two pins, one

passing through a hole crosswise through the other, the outer ends of said pins being jour naled in said bushings in the forks, sai bushings each having a threaded portion project ing beyond the face of the for 's; and a grease cup, screw-threaded to fit each of said bushings, substantially as shown.

2. In combination with two shafts, two forks adapted to be connected to the ends of -the shafts: a couplin crossf bearings on said forks forthe arms of said cross; and grease cups arranged to embrace the ends of. the arms of said cross adapted to be adjusted to feed the lubricant t0 the bearings.

, 3. In a universal'joint, the combination of the fork members perforated at right angles to their shafts and containin' journal bearings provided with outwarr y projecting portions adapted to' receive greasc cups; a cross for coupling said forks; and greasecups adapted to cap over the said rojccting portions and to be adjusted to fee lubricant to the bearings, substantially as shown.

4. In a universal joint, the combination of the fork members perforated at right-angles to their shafts; bearing bushings secured in I said erforations, the outer ends of said bushings eing eachjadapted to receive'a grease cup; a cross for coupling said parts to ether;

and grease cups which cap over said outer ends of the bushings, substantially as shown.

5. In a universe joint, the combination of the fork members, perforated at right angles to their shafts; a cross for coupling said forks together; outwardly projecting threaded portions on the arms of said forks; grease cups threaded on the said projecting portions and ada ted to be adjusted tofeed the lubricant to tlie bearings; and spring keepers adapted to bear against the grease cups to prevent them from unscrewing, substantially as shown.

6. In a universal joint, the combination of the fork members perforated at right angles to their shafts; bushings secured in said perforat1ons,,form1n ournal bearings; a cross for coupling the forks together; grease on s for capp ng over the outer ends 01' said bus iings; and washers opposed to the inner ends of said bushings, substantially as and for the purposes shown. a

7. In a universal joint, the combination of the fork members perforated at right angles to their shafts: a cross comprising a center blockperforsted in the form of a cross with holes of unequal size; two pins corresponding in site to the holes throiwh the center-block, the lar er oin being locked in place in the center-block by means of the smaller pin; and a locking pin arranged longitudinally through the larger pin and crosswise throug the smaller pin, substantially as shown.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my nanie to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MAURICE E. BLOOD. Witnesses:

Howsnn E. BLOOD, CLARnxoE C.'BLOOD. 

